Simon Grayson Happy With ‘Solid Professional Performance’

Manager Simon Grayson was pleased with side as they earned a place in the draw for the third round of the EFL Cup.

Goals from Eoin Doyle and Jordan Hugill put the Lilywhites in the hat for the next stage as they overcame Oldham Athletic at Deepdale.

Speaking after the game to PNE PlayerHD the gaffer was pleased that despite being forced to make six changes to the side that picked up an impressive league win at QPR the previous Saturday, his side were still able to get the 2-0 victory.

“When you are a team from a higher division, everyone is looking for an upset and that hasn’t been the case here,” he told the club’s online TV channel.

“It was a solid professional performance from the lads; we made quite a few changes, which doesn’t always make it easy for a solid, cohesive performance and we knew Oldham would make it a tough tie for us, because they have had three clean sheets in a row.

“They matched us up with a 3-5-2; there wasn’t a lot of space to play, but we knew we had to keep moving the ball around, wait for an opportunity and try and grind a performance and a goal out and we did that and ultimately we are through.”

The PNE chief was pleased with the players who came into the side, particularly goalscorer Hugill and his debutant goalkeeper: “The lads who came in tonight can be pleased with their performances,” he continued. “Jordan Hugill again showed what he is capable of and I thought Chris Maxwell was very composed and Ben Pearson and Simon Makienok made their first starts of the season.

“We made a few changes because there were a few injured lads who were unavailable, but ultimately the lads who started and then those who came on, made an impact and that is what we always ask them to do – make sure they give everything.

“Doyler wriggled around and got his shot off when maybe a few other people wouldn’t have shot and then it was his pure hard work and desire and a great ball in for Jordan to head the ball in at the back post. Overall it was pleasing, another win, another clean sheet and a couple of goals.”

After the victory at Loftus Road the manager had spoken pre-match about the need to follow up that win with another in the Cup and he was delighted that aim was achieved.

“Winning games breeds confidence and so we tried to go as strong as possible. We certainly knew it wasn’t going to be an easy tie because of what we had seen of Oldham in the last few games and full credit to Steve [Robinson] for that.

“We had to make sure we did the right things, follow up the performance from Saturday with an equally satisfying performance and that was the case today,” he added.

You can hear more from the manager and from Chris Maxwell after his competitive debut in a PNE shirt by logging onto PNE PlayerHD now – click here to watch the videos.